Open Records Laws › United Kingdom › Scotland

Scotland

Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002

2002 asp 13

Open Records Transparency: 69/100 (good) Transparency Score: 69/100

RTI Rating: 103 (source)

Response Timeline

Initial Response
20 days
Extension
20 days

Working days. Extension allowed for "reasonable opinion" or public interest test.

How to Submit a Request

Accepted Methods

  • Email
  • Mail
  • Online form

Requests can be made to any Scottish public authority.

Fees

No fee for requests. Authorities may charge for excessive cost (over £600).

Exemptions

  • National Security
    Information relating to national security
  • Personal Data
    Information constituting personal data under GDPR
  • Commercial Interests
    Information that would prejudice commercial interests

Many exemptions subject to public interest test.

Appeal Process

1

Authority Internal Review

Recommended before escalation to Commissioner

2

Scottish Information Commissioner

Free, independent review. No time limit for appeals.

3

Court of Session

Appeal on point of law only

Scottish Information Commissioner has strong enforcement powers.

Sources & References

Bodies Covered

Which kinds of public body this law applies to, with the statutory basis for each claim.

Body typeStatusStatutory basis
Council area Covered FOISA 2002, Sch. 1 Pt. 3 para. 21 (local government)
Scottish local authorities (councils constituted under s. 2 of the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994) under FOISA Sch. 1 Pt. 3 para. 21.
Fire rescue service Covered FOISA 2002, Sch. 1 Pt. 7 para. 85ZA (the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service)
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service under FOISA Sch. 1 Pt. 7 para. 85ZA (inserted by the Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012).
Health board Covered FOISA 2002, Sch. 1 Pt. 4 para. 27 (the National Health Service)
Scottish health boards under FOISA Sch. 1 Pt. 4 para. 27.
Police force Covered FOISA 2002, Sch. 1 Pt. 6 paras. 50, 50A (police)
The chief constable of the Police Service of Scotland and the Scottish Police Authority under FOISA Sch. 1 Pt. 6 paras. 50, 50A; the forces of England and Wales are FOIA (gb).
Universities and higher education institutions Covered FOISA 2002, Sch. 1 Pt. 5 paras. 47-49 (educational institutions)
Scottish higher and further education institutions under FOISA Sch. 1 Pt. 5 paras. 47-49; non-Scottish HEIs are FOIA (gb).
All other public bodies Covered FOISA 2002, Sch. 1 (Scottish public authorities)
FOISA covers Scottish public authorities listed in Sch. 1 and bodies designated under s. 5. Verify a specific body against Sch. 1 before relying on the default.

Coverage notes